ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, MISSOURI — A 54-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after police say he shot and killed his 72-year-old mother while she was playing video games in her living room. Joey Skaggs also faces a charge of armed criminal action, according to a press release from the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting happened around 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the victim’s home off Highway 221 in the Lake Hanna community. Police have not released a motive.
Deputies Found the Victim Inside Her Home
A probable cause statement reported by FOX 2 says deputies were called to the home at 5:23 p.m. They found the woman dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Authorities said Skaggs had spent part of the day collecting scrap metal with his stepfather on the Lake Hanna Development property. Around 3 p.m., he went into the home his mother and stepfather shared and took a .22-caliber rifle from the kitchen.
Police Say He Shot Her From a Few Feet Away
According to police, Skaggs said he could see his mother from the kitchen as she sat in a recliner in the living room, playing video games on her laptop. He told investigators he stood three or four feet behind her before shooting her in the head.
He then fled on foot, police said. Investigators later recovered the rifle and a shell casing at the scene. The details of the shooting came from Skaggs’ own statements to investigators.
Arrested While Walking Along a Highway
Police later spotted Skaggs walking along a highway near the development. He lived in a separate building on the same property and was arrested without incident.
Skaggs was booked into the St. Francois County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday. The case is still in its early stages as investigators gather more evidence.
No Clear Motive Released
Police have not shared any information about why the shooting happened. It is also unclear whether there had been any earlier conflict between Skaggs and his mother.
The killing has left the small Lake Hanna community shaken, since it happened inside a family home on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Investigators are expected to release more details as the case moves through the court system.
What the Charges Could Mean
Under Missouri law, first-degree murder is a Class A felony punishable by death or life in prison without parole or probation. Armed criminal action is an added charge used when prosecutors allege a dangerous or deadly weapon was used to commit a felony, according to The Hartley Law Firm.
In Missouri, a sentence for armed criminal action must be served consecutively, meaning after the sentence for the main felony. The length depends on the defendant’s prior offenses, probation is not allowed, and there is no maximum sentence for each armed criminal action conviction. Skaggs has not been convicted, and the case will proceed in court.
Stay with bccolonels.com for the latest news and local coverage.